Art enthusiasts get preview of sculpture show

Dozens of suburban art lovers recently got a taste of what's to come this spring when Lombard plays host to a regional sculpture show.

Two local sculptors, whose metal works remain on display through the end of the month, were spotlighted during a preview of the spring show at Gallery Y of Lombard.

Artists Lars Eikens of Lombard and Robert Pine of Elmhurst, both of whom have been sculpting art for many years, are being showcased in the gallery at 112 W. St. Charles Road amid Biff Yeager's photographs of sculpture from around the world.

"Lars Eikens work is mostly representational and detailed," described Laura Fitzpatrick, the event chairwoman. "The viewer can instantly get a connection to something in nature. Many pieces are associated with either trees or hands. He masters motion and power and shows a sense of struggle."

Fitzpatrick added, "Robert Pine works simple line into flowing contours that jut away from the wall gently. He treats the metal as if a pencil line. It is a fluid motion that is nearly sensual." Their work, along with three-dimensional pieces created by professional and student artists from throughout the area, will be showcased at the first-ever DuPage Invitational Sculpture and 3-D Art Show in May.

"I see the DuPage Invitational as a springboard opportunity for DuPage artists to work and make a living in DuPage County," Fitzpatrick said. "What is truly going to be the pinnacle of the show in May will be the emerging student artists from our DuPage high schools and our resident college students. They will have the opportunity to show, earn recognition and scholarship money and, possibly, even sell work at this early stage of their career."

The juried invitational will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 9 in Lilacia Park, which is located at Park and Parkside avenues, in downtown Lombard. Groups involved in the event are the Lombard Arts Coalition, Friends of the DuPage Theatre and Lombard Park District.

For more information on the DuPage Invitational Sculpture Show, call Marj Placek at (630) 415-3656 or visit dupagesculpture.org.

To learn more about Gallery Y of Lombard, see galleryyoflombard.com or call (630) 889-9500.